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QR codes

QR codes
The latest news, analysis and opinion on QR codes. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Last year, China was hit by super typhoon Lekima, wreaking significant damage in several provinces, including Zhejiang. (Picture: Reuters)
China technology

Flood-prone Chinese province tests QR code-based safety checks

Like Facebook’s Safety Check feature, people can mark themselves safe in Zhejiang using a QR code that sends info to rescue workers

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

China wants to keep health codes after the pandemic but users aren’t so sure

Surveillance

The Chinese city that introduced health codes wants to track drinking and smoking

WhatsApp

WhatsApp trials letting people add new contacts with a QR code

It’s similar to a feature already found in WeChat

The personal QR code feature being tested in WhatsApp (left) and the similar function already found in WeChat (right). (Picture: WABetaInfo/Abacus)
Apple

China’s beloved QR code may make a global comeback through Apple

Shunned in the West, the QR code underpins China’s cashless economy and coronavirus tracing efforts. Now it could be part of Apple’s new Gobi AR app.

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

No health codes creates chaotic morning commute in Hangzhou

Color-based QR codes designed to help track Covid-19 failed to load on Wednesday, keeping people from getting to work

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Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Murderer on the run in China turns himself in because he doesn’t have a health code

Color-based QR codes are meant to indicate the health status of smartphone users, but it makes life difficult for people without smartphones to get around... like a fugitive on the run

A woman has her temperature taken as others use smartphones to scan a code required to prove their health and travel status before being allowed to enter a shopping mall in Beijing on May 2. (Picture: AFP)
Surveillance

Kamen Rider almost didn't make it home without coronavirus health code

A man dressed up as Japanese superhero Kamen Rider had trouble showing guards his color-coded QR code

Huawei

Huawei introduces its own credit card like the Apple Card

Huawei Card is the Chinese giant’s latest venture into mobile finance

Tencent

Tencent rolls out QR code that tracks potential Covid-19 carriers on public transportation

China has been using big data to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus

QR code registration is meant to enable real-name registration for public transportation, as is already required for airplanes and trains, said Tencent’s Song Lingyun. (Picture: Tencent)
Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Shanghai introduces QR codes on subway to track potential contact with coronavirus

Big data helps China track people in fight against the coronavirus epidemic

People can use Alipay, Gaode Map or WeChat to scan the QR code, the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission says. (Picture: Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission)
Alibaba

China’s QR health code system brings relief for some… and new problems

A color-coded QR code system to fight the coronavirus allows people to travel freely or forces them to self-quarantine

Mobile payments

QR code payments make long commutes even longer in China

NFC availability is growing, but 100 million WeChat users are now paying for public transit with QR codes

Apple

Apple is pivoting to services, but will that work in China?

Latest quarterly earnings show Apple’s services business grew 13% worldwide

An Apple Store in Shanghai. (Picture: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)
Apple

Five iOS 13 features that will make Chinese users very happy

Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 13

Five iOS 13 features that will make Chinese users very happy
DJI

Introducing China Tech City

Mobile payments

Crashed app causes chaos during rush hour commute in one of China’s largest cities

A malfunctioning payment app led to long lines and late workers in Chengdu

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Mobile payments

Coming to a retailer near you: China’s favorite mobile payment technology

Kroger adopts QR code in new payment app, following Walmart’s footsteps

This picture is totally not staged. (Picture: Kroger)
Mobile payments

China’s favorite mobile payment technology has a security problem

QR codes are cheap and easy to use, but also vulnerable to scammers

Smartphones

Smartphone in the shower: Chinese college wants students to scan QR codes before washing

Social media jokes that the next step for technology is the toilet

Mobile payments

How the QR code conquered China

Most mobile payment apps in China use QR codes -- the barcode-like square you’ve probably seen on ads and billboards. To pay, customers either scan a merchant’s code, or let the seller scan their personal codes.

A fish vendor in China holding a QR code to accept mobile payments (Picture: May Tse)
China technology

Abacus ringing the opening bell at New York Stock Exchange

Celebrating our official launch in New York

Abacus ringing the opening bell at New York Stock Exchange
Mobile payments

Welcome to Abacus!

Social media

Welcome to Abacus

We begin with an introduction to Abacus and our mission: Why we're focusing on technology in China, and how we plan to cover it.

Welcome to Abacus
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